The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-02-03

A glance at a map of the country will show
that the Atlantic coast trends in northeast
erly direction, carrying with it to remote
distance the ports, as they occur upon its route,
thus prolonging these lines of communication
with the interior, as compared with Baltimore.
The effect of this is to place the city of Balti-
more in closer proximity, by many miles, than
Its northern rivals. to every grain and PORK
producing State of the Union-whie every
hogshead of tobacco, with the exception of
those grown in Connecticut, in limited quanti-
ties, is produced in ATTITUDES upon and below
this. and should pay the heavier tolls exacted in
transit above, as a consequence of increased
mileage.
OF the total crops of the country, excluding
California and Oregon. there is groE pom
this parallel of latitude and below it--of wheat
So per cent, corn 70 per cent, and in States
intersected by the same degree-ol whesa6, 43S
per cent and corn, 60 per cent. The cotton
producing belts of the South, by reason of
their proximity, offer their contribution to our
topography of the country, Baltimore is the
first large seaport. with industrial and distribu-
Sc
by the railroad lines of the south and southeast;
indeed the travel of seven Southern States is
to reach New York and the New England
States.
The pronounced progressive tendencies of
the past are still the characteristic features of
the Baltimore of to-day.
The shipment Of the first bale of cotton, In
ITO, the fame of the clipper ships of 1890
to 1912, the lighting of the city by gas in
advance of any other American city; the first
known patent for steel pen, the first protec-
ton for patent medicine. the first application
Of heat by means of anthracite coal in a closed
stove, the earliest in obtaining patent for an
American locomotive, the first construction of
the telegraph, the first importer of Peruvian
guano, the first to print upon calico, the first
to lay the rail for the iron road, the first to
construct an iron building-these revelations
are likely to be succeeded by innovations not,
perhaps, so startling as those enumerated, but
destined to mark Baltimore's progress in the
age in which we live, as efectually as in the
past.
The Baltimore of to-day manifests no sign of
disposition to repose upon her laurels and
therefore, to speak of some of her more modern
achievements may be in order. The fact may
be stated that the system of elevators upon
the water front is nowhere surpassed, neither
are the terminal facilities of the port
Within a few years, old-time landmarks have
been replaced by spacious and imposing ware
houses devoted to the distributing trade. Es-
Establishments for the manufacture of Iron,
Brass, Tin and Copper goods have expanded
and grown to enormous proportions. Chemical
Works, Tobacco Factories, Flour Mills, Packing
Houses, have, through their products, made her
name familiar wherever steam and sail can
push their way.
The comforts and refnements Of life have
not altogether, quite, been lost sight of, and
the citizen is justly proud of the palatial resi-
dences, her extended avenues, public squares, |
miles of natural parks, that render the city SO
captivating to the visitor. No city in the
country, perhaps, in the world, has a more
complete water system than that recently in
augurated. A more complete hospital than that
which crowns one of the citys hills is not |
known. University, whose first decade
places it in the very foremost ranks, is its
sister institution-both the gift of a former
merchant.
Remarkable for beauty as they are promising |